Molecular detection of Hematodinium spp. in Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus and other crustaceans
Document Type
Article
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
2006
Journal
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
Volume
69
First Page
185
Last Page
195
Abstract
The Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus (L.) from the coastal waters of Scotland is seasonally infected by a parasitic dinoflagellate of the genus Hematodinium. Methods used to detect infection include a morphological index (pleopod diagnosis) and several immunoassays. The present study describes the development and application of a set of Hematodinium-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers and DNA probes based on Hematodinium ribosomal DNA (rDNA). In the PCR assay, a diagnostic band of 380 bp was consistently amplified from total genomic DNA isolated from Hematodinium-infected N. norvegicus. The sensitivity of the assay was 1 ng DNA, which is equivalent to 0.6 parasites. The primer pair also detected Hematodinium DNA in preparations of the amphipod Orchomene nanus, indicating that the amphipod may be infected with the same Hematodinium sp. infecting N, norvegicus. DNA probes detected Hematodinium parasites in heart, hepatopancreas and gill tissues from N. norvegicus, and hepatopancreas and gill tissues from Carcinus maenas, confirming Hematodinium infection in the latter.
DOI
10.3354/dao069185
Recommended Citation
Small, Hamish J.; Neil, DM; Taylor, AC; and al, et, Molecular detection of Hematodinium spp. in Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus and other crustaceans (2006). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 69, 185-195.
10.3354/dao069185
